Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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524. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement his Department has had with Uisce Éireann and the Department of Housing; Local Government and Heritage in relation to the impact of water and wastewater infrastructure deficits on enterprise growth and employment in towns like Dungarvan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23403/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government is aware of the need for significant investment in Ireland’s water and wastewater infrastructure on a national level. The White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 identifies the importance of ensuring a competitive enterprise environment; a key consideration is the carrying capacity of the economy, including adequate provision of physical infrastructure such as transport, housing, energy, water and wastewater services. Quality physical infrastructure is essential to ensure the economy has the capacity to achieve sustainable long-term growth. When infrastructure gaps arise, they can act as a constraint on future growth, limiting the economy’s ability to attract and retain investment. Strategic investments in infrastructure lower the costs of doing business for enterprises, resulting in more efficient firms better able to compete internationally.

Ireland currently holds a strong competitive position globally. This performance is reflected in our exceptionally strong economic performance in recent years. However, the international context is rapidly changing, and we recognise that many businesses, whether indigenous or FDI, are facing increased challenges.

The first Competitiveness Summit was held on 2 September 2024. In response to the Summit, and the challenges facing Ireland’s competitiveness, the Government made several decisions including, but not limited to, prioritising competitiveness challenges in Budget 2025 and advance key reforms in infrastructure, legal efficiency, enterprise financing, and investment attractiveness.

The current Programme for Government has also committed to the publication of a new whole of Government Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity by January 2026. The Government has, however, accelerated this timeline, with a draft of the Plan to be considered by Ministers at a Competitiveness Summit this July. This plan will cover industrial policy, reducing the cost and regulatory burden on business, investing in infrastructure, digital regulation and reform, energy reform, international trade and research and development, and innovation.

Over the coming weeks, the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council will finalise and submit its Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2025 report to Government. This work will feed into the development of the Action Plan. Alongside this, the Department is currently working through a consultation mechanism for stakeholders – including other Government Departments – to ensure that the Action Plan is evidence based and reflects the issues impacting Ireland’s competitiveness.

Officials of my Department engage regularly with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Commission on the Regulation of Utilities and Uisce Éireann on issues around water and wastewater services. My officials also work closely with the enterprise agencies IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to understand the issues facing the enterprise base and to advocate for the needs of business with the relevant actors across the system.

Regarding the specific issue of water infrastructure deficits in Dungarvan and elsewhere, the Deputy will be aware that since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.

If Deputies have any queries on specific issues in relation to water services, Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.